The Gamble

by Alice Ward

  “Champagne?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

  “It’ll get us in the right mood.” She lifted a brow and I laughed. “I mean, it’ll help us loosen up. This night is important. The first time we’re being seen together in public. We should celebrate or something.”

  “I think hard liquor would be better,” she joked.

  “Probably,” I said, laughing. God, she was adorable. “But then we would have to worry about getting drunk. The last thing we need is another drunken adventure in Vegas together.”

  “What’s the worst that could happen?” she asked, grinning. “We get married again?”

  “Good point,” I said, pouring us each a glass. “Better safe than sorry, though.”

  “I never thought I’d hear those words come out of your mouth,” Dani teased.

  “Well, you don’t really know me, do you?” I asked, bobbing my eyebrows.

  “I think I know you better than you think.” I handed her a glass, and she took a small sip.

  “You do?” I asked with a challenge in my voice.

  “You aren’t that mysterious, Talen.”

  Her eyes were locked on mine while she spoke. We drank our champagne in silence as we headed into Vegas. The quiet around us was comfortable, easy. I didn’t feel nervous anymore. I knew that Dani had my back and that she would make the evening painless. We would be fine.

  We finished our glasses of champagne just as the limo pulled up in front of the venue. I could already see the line of cameras flashing. My stomach clenched tightly. Despite my confidence, I was still scared my plan would fail.

  “You ready?” I asked Dani.

  “I guess.” I watched as she adjusted the wedding ring on her finger. I glanced down at my own, realizing that I hadn’t taken it off once since we got married. I’d almost forgotten it was there. And it reminded me…

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the enormous diamond ring I bought this morning. Dani gasped when I opened my palm to show it to her. Slowly, I took her hand and slipped it over her knuckle until it met the simple band I didn’t remember sliding there. “There. Now we’re believable.”

  She just stared, her mouth sagging open and she moved her hand around so the ring caught the dim light. “It’s beautiful.”

  It really was. I’d gone into the jewelry store thinking I’d pick up whatever ring would pass my parents’ and the public’s inspection, but I ended up spending three hours there, trying to decide. I’d gone with the seven-carat round surrounded by halo diamonds. It was simple but gorgeous, just like her.

  “You’re beautiful.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but it was true.

  The air pulsed between us as it always did and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to kiss her. Fuck it. I was going to kiss her anyway, but the driver’s door opened and I remembered where we were.

  “Let’s go.” I pushed open the limo door and climbed outside. Immediately, cameras began to flash in my face. I turned around and extended my hand to Dani. She took it and let me pull her to her feet. Her beauty struck me again as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She looked like an actress stepping onto the red carpet.

  Dani wrapped her arm around mine, and I led us through the crowd. We both smiled and waved at the cameras as we passed. Reporters yelled my name, and I acknowledged them with a nod. Questions were fired at us, but we didn’t stop to answer. Instead, we continued walking up the sidewalk until we were almost to the venue’s doors.

  “Mr. Gaston!” a voice yelled. “Pose for a picture?”

  I glanced at Dani to see if she was okay with it. She nodded, and we both turned toward the voices. Dani stepped closer to me, laying her left hand gently on my chest. I put my arm around her waist and smiled widely. I knew her glittering ring would be in plain sight in the photograph, and the thought pleased me immensely. In just a couple days, everyone would know that Talen Gaston was a married man.

  The photographer continued to snap pictures until I finally pulled Dani away. We waved to the cameras one last time before disappearing inside. A doorman directed us down a long, dark hallway. It was dimly lit with blue lights and nothing else. I’d never been inside this venue before, but it was beautiful. When we reached the end of the hallway, the room opened up into a huge amphitheater.

  “Wow,” Dani gasped. “Holy fu… crap.”

  I laughed. Just seconds before, she had been poised and elegant. No one would have guessed she would have uttered such words.

  “Lady on the streets,” I muttered softly. She heard me and smacked my arm playfully.

  I led her forward, and we found our seats. The stage was empty and completely black. The seats around us began to fill quickly, and soon, the show was about to start. The lights around us went dark, and the stage was lit in fluorescent green. I didn’t know what to expect from this show, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t tear my attention away from Dani the entire night.

  No matter how hard I tried, I continued glancing at her during the show. I couldn’t have told anyone what the show was about, but I knew every single line on Dani’s face. I memorized each eyelash and freckle she sported. I found myself wishing the show would end so we could talk again. I wanted to hear her voice, her laugh.

  When the show finally ended, we left the theatre arm in arm. Cameras flashed again, but we hurried toward the limo. Once we were safely tucked away from the crowd, Dani leaned back against the seat and sighed. She was clearly glad the night was over. I watched her more, trying not to be obvious. I was completely mesmerized by her beauty.

  “You must have really liked the show,” Dani said, finally breaking the silence that stretched out around us.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked.

  “You haven’t said a word since we left,” she pointed out. “You’re speechless.”

  “I guess so.” She was right. I was speechless, but not for the reasons she thought. I quickly snapped out of it. She was only doing her job by attending the show with me, but it still felt nice to have her by my side.

  “Thanks for taking me,” she said politely.

  “I think you should meet my parents tomorrow,” I said. “Our pictures will be coming out soon, and my mom and dad should probably meet you before they do.”

  Dani swallowed hard. “That’s smart. Tomorrow?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll pick you up and take you over to their house.”

  “Okay.” She blew out a breath. “I work the morning shift at the diner, then I’ll work the bookstore until four. So any time after that is good.”

  Damn. I’d forgotten that she worked two jobs.

  “Now that we’ve basically announced ourselves as a married couple, it doesn’t make sense for you to stay at your apartment.”

  She nodded and chewed her lip. “Yeah, we’ve talked about that before.”

  “I mean, tonight is fine,” I added when she seemed hesitant. “But maybe, after we see my parents, you can just come back to my place.”

  Dani stayed quiet for a few minutes. She looked at me, then out the window, then back at me. I didn’t want to rush her for an answer, but we were already pulling into her apartment complex.

  “I know, it’s weird,” I said. “I just think that—”

  “No,” she interrupted. “You’re right. Married people don’t live apart. That doesn’t make any sense. It’s fine.”

  I smiled, happier than I thought was possible. “Great.”

  The driver opened her door and she glanced at me before sliding to the opening. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.” I reached out and touched her hand. “See you tomorrow.”

  Dani climbed out of the limo. I watched her walk toward her door, her dress swishing softly around her body, and realized what a total ass I actually was, allowing her to walk to her door unescorted in that slinky, sexed-up number. I’d also missed the opportunity for a long, hot good night kiss. And maybe more.

  Fuck.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

&n
bsp; Dani

  My night with Talen was more fun than I thought it would be. The show was strange, weirder than anything I’d ever seen. It was a cross between a musical and a Cirque du Soleil performance. It was trippy and crazy but entertaining. What made the night great, though, was Talen. He got us a limo and champagne. He made sure to show me off to the cameras, and he didn’t let go of me the entire night. I was nervous when we first arrived at the venue, but Talen made me feel comfortable.

  And this ring…

  I held up my hand to admire its beauty, turning it so it glittered in the light. I knew it was just for show, but… I sighed and held my hand to my chest, realizing how difficult it would be to let it go — let him go — in a month.

  I was happy and confused when I woke up on Monday morning. I tried to analyze my feelings for Talen, but I couldn’t. He constantly surprised me. I never knew what he was going to do next, but I found myself wanting to find out.

  As Monday dragged on, I couldn’t wait to see Talen again. The diner kept me busy but time ticked by at the bookstore that afternoon. It gave me too much time to think… to dream… to worry.

  Back at my apartment, I pulled out my paints and let my emotions rule my brush strokes once again. It was easier this time. I felt like I had so much more to paint about these days.

  When I finished painting, I showered and got dressed. We were going over to Talen’s parents’ house for dinner, and I didn’t know what to expect. I’d scored a fantastic Alexis Cody halter jumpsuit at the consignment shop I frequently visited. The creamy white silk made for a perfect combination of elegant and simple, and since I had zero idea what was expected, I thought it might work for either dressy or casual.

  I kept my hair and makeup simple, again unsure of what was expected, then paced the apartment while I waited for Talen, not wanting to crease the silk too badly. I was anxious and excited. I had so much fun with Talen the night before that I couldn’t wait to see him again, but I worried that his parents wouldn’t like me.

  His father was the one who ordered Talen to find a wife, but I didn’t think he meant to get drunk and get married in Vegas. If his father found out the truth about how we met, I knew he wouldn’t be very happy about it. It was important that we keep it a secret both from him and the public. From the little bit I knew about Talen’s father, he was a formidable man. I didn’t want to get on his bad side or incur his wrath in any way. While I waited for Talen, I went over things to say in my head. I pretended like I was standing in front of Jacob Gaston and introducing myself for the first time.

  Feeling ridiculous, I stopped my preparation. Whatever happened tonight would be fine. Talen’s parents would just be happy that he found a wife who didn’t pick her nose in public. They would be thrilled to know that their wish had come true. I told myself to relax, but it didn’t work. By the time Talen knocked on my door, I was a bundle of nerves.

  “Hey,” I said brightly when I saw him

  “Hi.” His voice was flat, and he didn’t smile. I frowned, noticing how angry he looked. His eyes trailed over my body before he asked, “Is that what you’re wearing?”

  I looked down at my attire. My face flushed. I spent an hour picking out my outfit, and I thought it was perfect. Talen’s face told me I was wrong.

  “Um,” I stammered. “I can change if you—”

  “No,” he snapped. “We don’t have time. It’s fine. Let’s just go.”

  With that, Talen turned and walked away. By the time I stepped outside and locked the door behind me, he was already getting into his car. I felt like the air had been kicked out of me as I slowly climbed into the passenger seat. Just moments earlier, I was excited to see him. I was ready to have another evening like last night, and now, I didn’t even want to be in the same car with him.

  I felt humiliated and suddenly ashamed of myself. My outfit was nice. It looked just dressy enough to be proper, but still casual enough for a night in with his parents. I didn’t have a lot of money to invest in a fancy wardrobe, and Talen knew that. He didn’t seem to mind what I wore the night before. In fact, he seemed to really enjoy my dress. I couldn’t understand why he was acting so upset.

  During the drive, I thought about saying something to him, but every time I looked at him, he was staring intently at the road. His blue eyes were like lasers piercing the windshield. I was afraid to speak and make him even angrier, so I sat in silence the entire way there.

  My mind raced. I couldn’t understand what made Talen’s mood shift so drastically. Not even twenty-four hours ago, he was being kind and gentle with me. He was smiling and laughing. He complimented me. He flirted with me. He acted like a gentleman. He, unlike any guy before him, made me feel like royalty.

  Now, he was treating me like the scum on the bottom of his shoe. He barely looked at me, and when he did, it was without emotion. He didn’t need to speak for me to know that he was not looking forward to the upcoming evening. I wondered if his attitude was simply about having to face his parents. I already knew he didn’t like his father, but I didn’t know why he was taking his anxiety out on me.

  We turned off the highway and headed down a dark street. I could tell we were getting closer because Talen’s shoulders tightened while he drove. When we pulled into the driveway, his nails were digging into the steering wheel. I wanted to say something encouraging, but my throat felt tight. I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

  My mouth fell open when Talen pulled into the driveway of a house that looked more like a castle than where people actually lived. It was so big that I couldn’t see either end from where I sat. There were turrets and towers, and the stone looked to be hundreds of years old. I was in shock. I couldn’t move.

  “Come on. Let’s go.”

  His voice was harsh, and I jumped. Quickly, I climbed out of the car and let him lead me toward the front door. When we stepped up to it, Talen reached out and took my hand. He held it too tightly, his sweaty palm slipping in mine. It felt wrong, foreign. I wanted to pull my hand away, but I knew I couldn’t. This was part of our deal. Physical contact.

  Talen knocked on the door. I glanced at his face and saw how pale he’d become. Gently, I squeezed his hand. He seemed to need the comfort, but he didn’t react to my gesture. Instead, he just stared straight ahead and waited for the door to open.

  When it did, a woman in a uniform stood in front of us. She stood aside to let us pass. Talen pulled me over the threshold so fast I almost stumbled but caught myself. The maid hurried away and was soon replaced by a tall man who resembled Talen. I could only guess that this was Jacob.

  “Dad,” Talen said, reaching out his hand to shake his father’s.

  “Talen.” The greeting was so cold it brought a layer of goosebumps to my skin. Then Jacob turned those cold eyes on me.

  “This is Dani,” Talen said. “My wife.”

  I smiled and extended my hand, expecting Jacob to take it. He stared at me for a few seconds. His eyes bore into mine, and I quickly became uncomfortable. When he didn’t reach for my hand, I dropped it to my side awkwardly and glanced around. I didn’t know what to do.

  “So,” Jacob finally said. “This is her.”

  “Yes.” Talen put his hand on my lower back, and it was gentler than I expected, almost protective. “This is Dani.”

  “Well.” Jacob turned away. “Your mother is in the kitchen supervising the servants. We shouldn’t keep her waiting long.”

  “No,” Talen agreed. “We shouldn’t.”

  The three of us made our way toward the kitchen. I looked around me as we walked, feeling more uncomfortable by the second. The house was elegant and grandiose. I wanted a tour, but I knew better than to ask. When we stepped into the kitchen, I saw a petite woman standing by the island, speaking to an older woman wearing a tall chef’s hat. She wore an expensive-looking floral dress and her hair was pinned up on top of her head. Her eyes lit up when she saw us.

  “Talen!” she squealed. “Oh, it’s so good to see you!”<
br />
  She ran over and threw her arms around him. I watched as his face softened. He hugged her back. When they pulled apart, she immediately turned her attention to me.

  “This is Dani.” His fingers stroked my back. “Dani, this is my mom, Victoria.”

  Victoria smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around me. She hugged me tightly to her chest, and I felt myself relax for the first time all evening.

  “Dani,” she cooed. “It’s so nice to meet you, sweetheart.”

  “You too,” I said, and I meant it. I felt completely at ease with Victoria.

  “Talen,” Jacob barked. “Can I have a word in private?”

  Talen glanced at his father and then looked back at me. I just stared back at him, unsure of what to say.

  “Oh, go ahead,” Victoria said and took my hand. “I can keep Dani company for a little while.”

  “Absolutely,” I agreed. I was just happy to be away from the older man for a few minutes.

  Talen and Jacob walked into what appeared to be a family room or den — whatever rich people called such places. I could still see them from where I stood, but I couldn’t hear their conversation. I turned back to Victoria with a smile.

  “So, is there anything I can help you with?”

  She gave me a soft smile. “Yes. You can sit down and tell me about yourself.”

  I laughed and let her lead me toward a table in a small window-enclosed nook. We sat down beside each other, and Victoria gave me her full attention. At first, I didn’t know what to say, but I quickly began talking and couldn’t stop.

  “I’m an artist,” I said simply. “I’ve been painting most of my life, but after college, I decided to make it my career.”

  “Wow,” Victoria said with excitement. “Have you had any shows?”

  “I have.” I nodded. “Just a few. Nothing big.”

  “I would love to see your work,” she said. “Anytime. I’m a huge fan of the arts.”